Tom Chivers is the Telegraph's assistant comment editor. He writes mainly on science. Not a poet - that's the other Tom Chivers. Read older posts by Tom here.

Who'll play Dave in the film of his life?

David Cameron got asked on Radio 4's Today programme this morning who would play him in a film of his life, in response to The Iron Lady, starring Meryl Streep as Margaret Thatcher. Obviously he demurred ("It'll never be made") rather than leap up and shout "THE YOUNG MARLON BRANDO" or something equally intemperate, but it's inspired the predictable Twitter joke about the name of that film.

Some good ones included Peter Luff Actually (credit where it's due, John Prescott), Saving Private Education, Tory Story, Notting Hill Set, The Osborne Supremacy, There Will Be Blue Blood, etc.

But he wasn't asked what the film would be called (for the record, it would be Referendumb and Dumber, although Will Heaven suggests The Cast-Iron Lady). He was asked who would play him. And – I'm sorry about this, Shameless fans, you'll never be able to look at him the same again – there's only one possible answer. It's got to be James McAvoy as Professor Charles Xavier. It's uncanny.

The Prime Minister, David Cameron (left) and James McAvoy

UPDATE: No. It's not James McAvoy – it has to be Brent Spiner, aka Data out of Star Trek: The Next Generation (hat tip Travis in the comments):